Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits based on a customer activity

ABSTRACT

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives information relating to customer activity with a first vendor (e.g., via a Web page that a customer accesses). The controller further receives an indication of items the customer desires to purchase, the items having an associated total price. The controller determines, based on any of various criteria, whether to provide an offer for a subsidy based on the information relating to customer activity. The offer for a subsidy is from a second vendor (a subsidizing vendor), and may define, for example, a reduction in the price charged for the item and an obligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. If the customer accepts the offer, he is charged a second price for the items. The second price is less than the total price, and may even be zero.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/219,267 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR FACILITATING ELECTRONIC COMMERCE THROUGH PROVIDING CROSS-BENEFITSDURING A TRANSACTION”, filed on Dec. 23, 1998; and is acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/274,281 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CROSS-BENEFITSVIA A CENTRAL AUTHORITY”, filed on Mar. 22, 1999; which is acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/219,267 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING ELECTRONICCOMMERCE THROUGH PROVIDING CROSS-BENEFITS DURING A TRANSACTION”, filedon Dec. 23, 1998; and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/166,367 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FORPROVIDING A DISCOUNT TO A CUSTOMER THAT PARTICIPATES IN TRANSACTIONS ATA PLURALITY OF MERCHANTS”, filed on Oct. 5, 1998 and now abandoned; theentirety of each incorporated by reference herein as part of the presentdisclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for facilitatingcommerce.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a great deal of competition among vendors to attract and retaincustomers. Even when a customer has browsed a vendor's inventory, hewill not make a purchase if an item's price is greater than the amountthe customer is willing to pay. One way to increase customer willingnessto purchase is to provide discounts on items purchased. Unfortunately,vendors must use discounts sparingly, since reducing purchase priceslikewise reduces margins and the reduced margins may not be offset byincreased sales volume.

A vendor may also offer promotions to provide an incentive for customersto make purchases. For example, a vendor may offer a “buy one get onefree” promotion whereby a purchase of an item yields the benefit of anadditional item at no cost. Similarly, a vendor may provide a discounton a purchase in exchange for signing up for a credit card accountprovided by the vendor.

Promotions may also be provided among two or more vendors. For example,a first vendor may advertise that if a particular product is purchased,another product may be purchased from or given away by a second vendor.

A parent application of the present application, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/219,267 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATINGELECTRONIC COMMERCE THROUGH PROVIDING CROSS-BENEFITS DURING ATRANSACTION”, filed on Dec. 23, 1998, discloses a method and apparatusthat permits a customer that is purchasing items from a first vendor toreceive a benefit (e.g. a credit for the price of the items) from asecond vendor. The present application provides further embodiments ofthis novel and beneficial invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus for facilitating commerce.

In accordance with the present invention, a controller receivesinformation relating to customer activity with a first vendor, typicallyvia a Web page that a customer accesses. The controller further receivesan indication of items (goods and/or services) the customer desires topurchase, the items having an associated total price. The controllerdetermines, based on any of various criteria, whether to provide anoffer for a subsidy based on the information relating to customeractivity. For example, a customer who places certain items in hisvirtual “shopping cart” may receive such an offer. The offer for asubsidy is from a second vendor (a subsidizing vendor), and may define,for example, a reduction in the price charged for the item and anobligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. Forexample, the customer may be obliged to sign up for a credit card ortelephone service provided by the subsidizing vendor.

An indication of the offer for the subsidy is provided to the customer,e.g., via a text or graphical display on the Web page. The customerresponds via known user interface techniques and, if he accepts theoffer, he is charged a second price for the items. The second price isless than the total price, and may even be zero. Thus the customer mayget his desired items for free in exchange for fulfilling the obligationwith the subsidizing vendor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus forfacilitating commerce in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of anapparatus for facilitating commerce in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a controller of the apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a vendor server of the apparatusof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a representation of a customer database of the controller ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a representation of a vendor database of the controller ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a representation of a transaction database of the controllerof FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a representation of a subsidizer database of the controller ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a representation of an offer rules database of the controllerof FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a representation of an offers database of the controller ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a representation of a record of an offer summary database ofthe controller of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a representation of a record of another embodiment of theoffer summary database.

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an item database of the vendorserver of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forproviding an offer for a benefit.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forproviding an offer for a benefit using offer rules.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of amethod for providing an offer which may be accepted by fulfilling anobligation associated with the offer.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method fordetermining whether customers have fulfilled their obligationsassociated with an offer for a benefit.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forproviding an offer for a benefit after a customer has made a purchasefrom a vendor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Applicants have recognized that the acquisition budgets of variousservice providers may be advantageously used to facilitate commerce. Acustomer that purchases items from a first vendor may be paid, directlyor indirectly, by a second vendor, so that the customer pays a reducedprice, perhaps nothing at all, for his desired items. In exchange, thecustomer participates or agrees to participate in a transaction with thesecond vendor. For example, the customer may be required to sign up fora service that is provided by the second vendor. Since many serviceproviders are willing to pay significant amounts of money (e.g. often$50 to $200) to acquire a new customer, the ability to acquire acustomer by essentially “intervening” in a sale between others canbenefit all parties involved. In short, the second vendor provides asubsidy to the customer. The customer is benefited by the reduced priceof his items, the first vendor is benefited by the increased sales andcustomer satisfaction that such an arrangement would bring, and thesecond vendor is benefited by the additional transaction, particularlythe acquisition of a new customer in one embodiment.

In addition, applicants have also recognized that various types ofcustomer activities may be used to indicate, among other things, whetherthe customer is likely to accept an offer for a benefit from asubsidizing vendor. For example, when a customer begins to interact witha first vendor (e.g. via the first vendor's Web site), various types ofcustomer activity may be used to indicate whether the customer iswilling to transact with the first vendor. Similarly, various types ofcustomer activity may be used to indicate whether the customer iswilling to transact with a subsidizing vendor. Detection of suchcustomer activity can assist is identifying, e.g., which customersshould be given offers for subsidies, and when.

Referring to FIG. 1A, an apparatus 100 includes a controller 110 that isin communication with a vendor server 120. The controller 110 and thevendor server 120 may comprise computers, such as those based on anIntel® Pentium® microprocessor, that are adapted to communicate via theInternet (e.g. via a modem) or other medium. Any number of vendorservers may be in communication with the controller 110. Those skilledin the art will understand that devices in communication with each otherneed not be continually transmitting to each other. On the contrary,such devices need only transmit to each other as necessary, and mayactually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, adevice in communication with another device via the Internet may nottransmit data to the other device for weeks at a time.

The vendor server 120 may be a “Web server” of a vendor (e.g. a retailseller). A vendor server could then generate Web pages (documents on theWorld Wide Web that typically include an HTML file and associatedgraphics and script files) that may be accessed via the World Wide Weband allow purchases from the vendor to be made in a manner known in theart. A Web site consists of several such Web pages and associateddatabases served up by an HTTP server (e.g. the vendor server 120) onthe World Wide Web. Alternatively, the vendor server 120 may be acomputer involved in operating a physical store. Such a computer, forexample a point of sale (POS) server, would perform such tasks asinventory management and transaction processing for the store.

The controller 110 is also in communication with a subsidizing vendorserver 140. The subsidizing vendor server 140 may comprise a computer,such as those based on an Intel® Pentium® microprocessor, that isadapted to communicate via the Internet (e.g. via a modem) or othermedium. Any number of subsidizing vendor servers may be in communicationwith the controller 110.

The subsidizing vendor server 140 may be a “Web server” of a vendor. Thesubsidizing vendor server 140 could then generate a Web page that may beaccessed via the World Wide Web and allow transactions with thesubsidizing vendor in a manner known in the art. Alternatively, thesubsidizing vendor server 140 may be a computer involved in operating aphysical store. Such a computer would perform such tasks as inventorymanagement and transaction processing.

The vendor server 120 may be in communication with a customer terminal130 that transmits data regarding a customer transaction (e.g. apurchase). Any number of customer terminals may be in communication withthe vendor server 120. The customer terminal 130 may be a point of sale(POS) terminal, such as the NCR 7454 manufactured by NCR Corporation orthe IBM 4683 manufactured by International Business Machines. As isknown in the art, POS terminals perform such processes as calculatingthe total price of a purchase (goods or services) and calculating theamount of change due to a customer. POS terminals may furthermore trackpurchases made and adjust databases of inventory accordingly.

In another embodiment, the customer terminal 130 may be a computer, suchas those based on an Intel® Pentium® microprocessor, that are adapted tocommunicate via the Internet (e.g. via a modem) or other medium. Suchcomputers are able to appropriately access a Web page to communicatewith a vendor server in a manner that is known to those skilled in theart.

In still other embodiments, the customer terminal 130 may be atelephone, an automated teller machine (ATM), slot machine, a vendingmachine or other device that receives payment from customers in exchangefor providing goods or services. The vendor server in such an embodimentcould include an IVRU (Interactive Voice Response Unit), such as theVision 2001 or the Insight IVR/Web, both from Interactive VoiceTechnologies, Corp., or the OmniVox for Windows NT from APEX VoiceCommunications. An IVRU allows a user of a DTMF (Dual ToneMulti-Frequency) signal generating telephone to communicate with acomputer. The DTMF signals received from the user's telephone areinterpreted by the vendor server, and the vendor server may alsocommunicate with the user by generating and transmitting voice or otheraudio signals, such as an list of IVRU menu options.

The use of the controller 110 is especially advantageous in anembodiment where a plurality of subsidizing vendors and/or a pluralityof vendor servers serving customers participate in the describedinvention. A parent application, U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/274,281 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CROSS-BENEFITSVIA A CENTRAL AUTHORITY”, filed Mar. 22, 1999, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference herein as part of the present disclosure,discloses an invention utilizing such a controller.

Referring to FIG. 1B, an apparatus 150 represents another embodiment ofan apparatus for facilitating commerce in accordance with the presentinvention. Specifically, in the apparatus 150 a vendor server 160communicates with a customer terminal 170 and with a subsidizing vendorserver 180 without the intervening controller 110. Accordingly, theembodiment illustrated by FIG. 1B is appropriate for a directrelationship between the vendor servicing customers and the subsidizingvendor.

Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 indicates a device that maybe the controller 110 (FIG. 1A). In another embodiment, thefunctionality of the device 200 may be performed by another device, suchas the vendor server 160 (FIG. 1B), which operates to provide a customerwith an offer for a subsidy from a second vendor.

The device 200 comprises a processor 202, such as an Intel® Pentium®microprocessor. The processor 202 is in communication with a datastorage device 210, such as an appropriate combination of magnetic,optical and/or semiconductor memory. For example, the data storagedevice 210 may comprise one or more of a ROM, RAM and hard disk. Theprocessor 202 and the data storage device 210 may each be (i) locatedentirely within a single computer or other computing device; (ii)connected to each other by a remote communication medium, such as aserial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver; or(iii) a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the controller 110 maycomprise one or more computers that are connected to a remote servercomputer for maintaining databases.

The data storage device 210 stores a program 220 for controlling theprocessor 202. The processor 202 performs instructions of the program220, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention, andparticularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein.The program 220 furthermore includes program elements that may benecessary, such as an operating system and “device drivers” for allowingthe processor 202 to interface with computer peripheral devices.Appropriate device drivers and other necessary program elements areknown to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detailherein.

The storage device 210 also stores (i) a customer database 230, (ii) avendor database 240, (iii) a transaction database 250, (iv) a subsidizerdatabase 260, (v) an offer rules database 270, (vi) an offers database280 and (vii) an offer summary database 290. The databases 230, 240,250, 260, 270, 280 and 290 are described in detail below and depictedwith exemplary entries in the accompanying figures. As will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, the schematic illustrations andaccompanying descriptions of the databases presented herein areexemplary arrangements for stored representations of information. Anumber of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested bythe tables shown. Similarly, the illustrated entries of the databasesrepresent exemplary information, and those skilled in the art willunderstand that the number and content of the entries can be differentfrom those illustrated herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates the vendor server 120 of FIG. 1A. As described abovewith reference to FIG. 1B, in one embodiment the vendor server maycommunicate with a subsidizing vendor server 180 without the interveningcontroller 110. Accordingly, the description of the vendor server 120 isapplicable to the vendor server 160 of FIG. 1B. In such an embodiment,the databases stored by the data storage device of the vendor servercould include the databases depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The vendor server 120 comprises a processor 302, such as an Intel®Pentium® microprocessor, which is in communication with a customerterminal 315 and the controller 110. The processor 302 is also incommunication with a data storage device 310, such as an appropriatecombination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory. Forexample, the data storage device 310 may comprise one or more of a ROM,RAM and hard disk. The processor 302 and the data storage device 310 mayeach be (i) located entirely within a single computer or other computingdevice; (ii) connected to each other by a remote communication medium,such as a serial port cable, telephone line or radio frequencytransceiver; or (iii) a combination thereof. In one embodiment, thevendor server 120 may comprise one or more computers that are connectedto a remote server computer for maintaining databases.

The data storage device 310 stores a program 320 for controlling theprocessor 302. The processor 302 performs instructions of the program320, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention, andparticularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein.The program 320 furthermore includes program elements that may benecessary, such as an operating system and “device drivers” for allowingthe processor 302 to interface with computer peripheral devices.Appropriate device drivers and other necessary program elements areknown to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detailherein.

The storage device 310 also stores (i) a customer database 330, (ii) anitem database 340, and (iii) a transaction database 350. The customerdatabase 330 and the transaction database 350 of the vendor server 120may be similar or identical to the customer database 230 and transactiondatabase 250 of the controller 110. For example, the controller 110 maystore data that is derived from the vendor server 120, and vice versa.If each vendor server stores data on its own customers and its owntransactions, the controller 110 could aggregate this data from eachvendor server.

The databases 330, 340 and 350 are described in detail below anddepicted with exemplary entries in the accompanying figures. As will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, the schematic illustrations andaccompanying descriptions of the databases presented herein areexemplary arrangements for stored representations of information. Anumber of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested bythe tables shown. Similarly, the illustrated entries of the databasesrepresent exemplary information, and those skilled in the art willunderstand that the number and content of the entries can be differentfrom those illustrated herein.

Referring to FIG. 4, a table 400 represents an embodiment of thecustomer database 230 (FIG. 2) and/or the customer database 330 (FIG.3). The table 400 includes entries 402, 404, 406 and 408, each defininga customer that may purchase items from a vendor. Such information maybe determined, for example, when a customer registers for a frequentshopper card. Those skilled in the art will understand that the table400 may include any number of entries. The table 400 also defines fieldsfor each of the entries 402, 404, 406 and 408. The fields specify (i) acustomer identifier 420 that uniquely identifies the customer, (ii) aname 422 of the customer, (iii) a billing address 424 of the customer,(iv) credit card information 426 which may be used to render payment inpurchasing the items, and (v) an electronic mail (“e-mail”) address 428for communication with the customer.

For each entry of the table 400, the data specified by fields 422, 424,426 and 428 may be received from the corresponding customer (e.g. viathe corresponding customer terminal and/or vendor server that interactswith the customer). For example, the data may be provided when thecustomer makes a purchase from a vendor's Web site by requiring thecustomer to enter information into an HTML form provided on a Web page.Upon registration of a new customer, the controller 110 in theembodiment of FIG. 1A, or the vendor server 160 in the embodiment ofFIG. 1B, would generate a unique customer identifier to store in thefield 420 of the entry corresponding to the new customer. Once suchinformation is stored for a customer, it may be retrieved upon referenceto the appropriate customer identifier.

Referring to FIG. 5, a table 500 represents an embodiment of the vendordatabase 240 (FIG. 2). The table 500 includes entries 502, 504, 506 and508, each defining a vendor that services customers and may have thosecustomers receive offers for subsidies. Such information may bedetermined when a vendor registers for participation in the subsidizingprogram described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand thatthe table 500 may include any number of entries. The table 500 alsodefines fields for each of the entries 502, 504, 506 and 508. The fieldsspecify (i) a vendor identifier 520 that uniquely identifies the vendor,(ii) a vendor name 522, (iii) a vendor e-mail address 524 forcommunication with the vendor, and (iv) an amount owed 526 to the vendor(e.g. promised but unpaid subsidy amounts).

For each entry of the table 500, the data specified by fields 522 and524 may be received from the corresponding vendor (e.g. via thecorresponding vendor server). For example, the data may be provided whenthe vendor registers with the controller 110 in the embodiment of FIG.1A. Upon registration of a new vendor, the controller 110 in theembodiment of FIG. 1A, or the vendor server 160 in the embodiment ofFIG. 1B, would generate a unique vendor identifier to store in the field520 of the entry corresponding to the new vendor. Once such informationis stored for a vendor, it may be retrieved upon reference to theappropriate vendor identifier.

Referring to FIG. 6, a table 600 represents an embodiment of thetransaction database 250 (FIG. 2) and/or the transaction database 350(FIG. 3). The table 600 includes entries 602, 604 and 606, each defininga transaction with a vendor server. Typically, the transaction includesa purchase of items by a customer. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the table 600 may include any number of entries. Thetable 600 also defines fields for each of the entries 602, 604 and 606.The fields specify (i) a transaction identifier 620 that uniquelyidentifies the transaction, (ii) a time 622 of the transaction, (iii)the items ordered 624, (iv) credit card information 626 that may definea credit card account that was charged to pay for the items purchased,(v) an amount charged 628 for the items, (vi) a delivery address 630 forthe items, and (vii) a customer identifier 632 (if any) that identifiesthe customer that made the purchase.

For each entry of the table 600, the data specified by fields 624, 626,628, 630 and 632 may be received via the corresponding customerterminal. For example, the items ordered may be identified by beingscanned by a bar code scanner that transmits a representative signal toa POS terminal. Alternatively, the items ordered may have been selectedby a customer via a Web page displayed by his personal computer. Otherways to indicate items the customer desires to purchase will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Similarly, the credit card information maybe read by a credit card reader that transmits a representative signalto a POS terminal. Alternatively, the credit card information may beentered by a customer into a form on a Web page displayed by hispersonal computer. Those skilled in the art will understand that otherpayment identifiers besides credit card information may be employed,such as debit card numbers, electronic cash identifiers. The use hereinof a credit card as a means of payment is merely exemplary and notlimiting on the scope of the present invention.

The data may be transmitted from the customer device to the controller110 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, or to the vendor server 160 in theembodiment of FIG. 1B. A unique transaction identifier may be generatedand the time of the transaction may be recorded (e.g. with reference toa clock signal generated by the customer terminal, vendor server,controller or other device). The transaction identifier and the time arestored in the fields 620 and 622 respectively of the entry correspondingto the new transaction. Once such information is stored for atransaction, it may be retrieved upon reference to the appropriatetransaction identifier.

Referring to FIG. 7, a table 700 represents an embodiment of thesubsidizer database 260 (FIG. 2). The table 700 includes entries 702,704 and 706, each defining a subsidizing vendor that may subsidizepurchases. Such information may be determined when a subsidizing vendorregisters for participation in the subsidizing program described herein.Those skilled in the art will understand that the table 700 may includeany number of entries. The table 700 also defines fields for each of theentries 702, 704 and 706. The fields specify (i) a subsidizing vendoridentifier 720 that uniquely identifies the subsidizing vendor, (ii) aname 722 of the subsidizing vendor, (iii) an account 724 used to pay forthe subsidies, (iv) an amount owed 726 by the subsidizing vendor, and(v) a rank 728 used to prioritize subsidizing vendors and/or subsidiesfrom those subsidizing vendors. The ranks may be establishedperiodically (e.g. once per year) based on various criteria. Forexample, the ranks may be adjusted dynamically based on the acceptancerates of offers from the subsidizing vendors and/or amount of funds thesubsidizing vendors have provided in connection with their offers.

For each entry of the table 700, the data specified by fields 722 and724 may be received from the corresponding subsidizing vendor (e.g. viathe corresponding vendor server). For example, the data may be providedwhen the subsidizing vendor registers with the controller 110 in theembodiment of FIG. 1A, or with the vendor server 160 in the embodimentof FIG. 1B. Upon registration of a new subsidizing vendor, thecontroller 110 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, or the vendor server 160 inthe embodiment of FIG. 1B, would generate a unique subsidizing vendoridentifier to store in the field 720 of the entry corresponding to thenew subsidizing vendor. The amount owed is calculated and updated foreach subsidizing vendor. Typically, the amount owed is updated when anoffer from a particular subsidizing vendor is accepted by a customer.The rank of each subsidizing vendor is updated according to a rankingscheme. For example, subsidizing vendors may pay for a preferentialrank, and/or rank may be determined by the number (or percentage) ofcorresponding offers that are accepted. Once such information is storedfor a subsidizing vendor, it may be retrieved upon reference to theappropriate subsidizing vendor identifier.

Referring to FIG. 8, a table 800 represents an embodiment of the offerrules database 270 (FIG. 2). The table 800 includes entries 802, 804,806, 808 and 810, each defining, among other things, an offer rule. Whenan offer rule is satisfied during a transaction, the vendor provides anoffer for a specified benefit, such as a subsidy. Such information maybe determined when a subsidizing vendor registers for participation inthe subsidizing program described herein. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the table 800 may include any number of entries. Thetable 800 also defines fields for each of the entries 802, 804, 806, 808and 810. The fields specify (i) an offer rule identifier 820 thatuniquely identifies the offer rule, (ii) a subsidizing vendor identifier822 that uniquely identifies the subsidizing vendor, (iii) customeractivity 824 that is required in order for an offer to be provided, (iv)a subsidy amount 826, (v) when the offer rule is effective 828 (i.e.other requirements in order to satisfy the offer rule), and (vi) anadditional transaction 830 that is required of the customer in exchangefor the subsidy. As described below, several types of transactions, suchas additional purchases or initiating service agreements, may berequired of the customer.

Some types of customer activity in a Web embodiment include a mouseclick on a predetermined portion of a Web page, on a predeterminedbanner advertisement, and on an indication of an item. Similarly, amouse-over (indication of cursor location and/or movement) on apredetermined portion of a Web page and on predetermined portions of Webpages at least a predetermined number of times may be desirable customeractivities. Such customer activity can indicate, for example, that thecustomer is evaluating particular products on the Web site by clickingon particular links or placing the cursor over the links.

Some other types of customer activity in a Web embodiment includeperforming a search for a predetermined item, opening or accessing anelectronic cash account (e.g. an e-cash “wallet”), accessingpredetermined Web pages, a predetermined number of predetermined Webpages, predetermined Web pages in a predetermined sequence, orpredetermined Web pages during a predetermined time period; a durationthat the Web site is open; and previous access to a predetermined Website at least a predetermined number of times.

Other types of customer activity include a predetermined number of itemsthat a customer is ready to purchase from a vendor (indicated, forexample, by the content of the customer's virtual shopping cart), one ormore predetermined items that the customer is ready to purchase from avendor, a duration that an item is selected for purchase, requesting acoupon for a predetermined item, an item having at least a predeterminedprice that the customer is ready to purchase from the first vendor, atleast a predetermined number of previous purchases from the firstvendor, and frequent shopper status of the customer.

For each entry of the table 800, the data specified by fields 824, 826,828 and 830 may be received from the corresponding subsidizing vendor(e.g. via the corresponding subsidizing vendor server) for each offerrule the subsidizing vendor establishes. For example, the data may beprovided when the subsidizing vendor registers with the controller 110in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, or with the vendor server 160 in theembodiment of FIG. 1B. Upon creation of an offer rule, the controller110 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, or the vendor server 160 in theembodiment of FIG. 1B, would generate a unique offer rule identifier tostore in the field 820 of the entry corresponding to the new offer rule.The corresponding subsidizing vendor identifier would also be stored inthe field 822. Once such information is stored for an offer rule, it maybe retrieved upon reference to the appropriate offer rule identifier.

The customer activity that is required in order for an offer to beprovided may be set by the subsidizing vendor. Alternatively, therequired customer activity may be set by the controller 110 for eachsubsidizing vendor. For example, the subsidizing vendor may be unable todecide which type of customer activity should be required. In stillanother embodiment, the required customer activity may be set andthereafter dynamically adjusted based on acceptance rates of providedoffers.

Referring to FIG. 9, a table 900 represents an embodiment of the offersdatabase 280 (FIG. 2). The table 900 includes entries 902, 904, 906, 908and 910, each defining an offer for a subsidy. The offer was provided toa customer during a transaction of the customer with the vendor. Thoseskilled in the art will understand that the table 900 may include anynumber of entries. The table 900 also defines fields for each of theentries 902, 904, 906, 908 and 910. The fields specify (i) an offeridentifier 920 that uniquely identifies the offer, (ii) a transactionidentifier 922 that uniquely identifies the transaction during which theoffer was provided, (iii) a subsidizing vendor identifier 924 thatuniquely identifies the subsidizing vendor, (iv) an identifier of anoffer rule 926 that was applied during the transaction, (v) when theoffer was provided 928, (vi) an expiration date 930 (if any) for theoffer, (vii) a subsidy amount 932, (viii) a total price 934 that thecustomer would have to pay without the subsidy, (ix) a total price 936that the customer would have to pay with the subsidy, and (x) when theoffer was accepted 938 (if it was accepted). As described above withreference to FIG. 8, offer rules define specific subsidies. Thus, theidentifier of an offer rule stored in field 926 may be used to determinea corresponding subsidy amount.

The subsidy amount may be a fixed amount, such as $50. The subsidyamount may further be dependent on various criteria such as the purchasetotal. For example, the subsidy amount could be for the lesser of thepurchase total and $50. Similarly, the subsidy amount could be for thelesser of a portion of the purchase total and $50. For example, thesubsidy amount could be for the lesser of $50 and half the purchasetotal.

For each entry of the table 900, the data specified by fields 928, 934,936 and 938 may be received from the corresponding customer terminal foreach offer that has been provided. For example, when the offer isprovided a new entry of the table 900 may be created. At that time, thedate and time that the offer was provided may be recorded (e.g. withreference to a clock signal generated by the customer terminal, vendorserver, controller or other device), and the total price and the totalprice with the subsidy amount may be received, e.g., from the POSterminal. The field 938 of the new entry would initially be set to“open” to indicate that the offer is open (not yet accepted orrejected). Field 922, 924 and 926 of the new entry would be set to theappropriate identifiers. Field 930 could be calculated from the field928 (e.g. a predetermined time after the time in field 928 or “none” ifthere is no desired expiration date). Field 932 is determined from thecorresponding offer rule applied, as described above with respect tofield 826. Upon creation of an entry in the table 900, the controller110 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, or the vendor server 160 in theembodiment of FIG. 1B, would generate a unique offer identifier to storein the field 920. Once such information is stored for an offer, it maybe retrieved upon reference to the appropriate offer rule identifier.The field 938 may be updated when an offer is rejected or accepted.

Referring to FIG. 10, a table 1000 represents a record of an embodimentof the offer summary database 290 (FIG. 2). The offer summary database290 typically includes a plurality of records, each defining a summaryof offers for subsidies that have been provided on behalf of aparticular subsidizing vendor. The table 1000 includes a subsidizingvendor identifier 1002 that uniquely identifies the subsidizing vendor,a total number of offers provided 1004 on behalf of the subsidizingvendor, a total number of those offers that were accepted 1006, and atotal amount 1008 of the subsidies due in connection with acceptedoffers.

The table 1000 also includes entries 1010 and 1012, each defining offersprovided due to satisfaction of an offer rule of the subsidizing vendor.Those skilled in the art will understand that the table 1000 may includeany number of entries. The table 1000 also defines fields for each ofthe entries 1010 and 1012. The fields specify (i) an offer ruleidentifier 1020 that uniquely identifies the offer rule, (ii) a number1022 of offers provided due to the offer rule, (iii) a number 1024 ofthese offers that were accepted, and (iv) an amount 1026 of thesubsidies due in connection with these accepted offers. If desirable,the information stored in the offer summary database 290 (FIG. 2) may beorganized by the vendor through which the offer was provided. Such anembodiment would allow a comparison of the acceptance rate of offers atdifferent vendors.

For each subsidizing vendor, the controller 110 in the embodiment ofFIG. 1A, or the vendor server 160 in the embodiment of FIG. 1B, wouldcreate a record such as the record 1000 and store the subsidizing vendoridentifier 1002. For each offer rule associated with the subsidizingvendor, a corresponding entry is created and the offer rule identifieris stored in field 1020. For each entry in the record, the dataspecified by fields 1022, 1024 and 1026 may be adjusted as offers areprovided and acceptances of the offers are received. For example, whenan offer is provided, the corresponding offer rule is identified andthus the corresponding entry is identified. The field 1022 of that entryis increased by one to reflect the newly-provided offer. Similarly, whenan offer is accepted, field 1024 of that entry is increased by one toreflect the new acceptance and the amount of the subsidy associated withthe accepted offer is added to the field 1026 of the entry.

The sum of the number of offers indicated by the field 1022 for allentries is stored as the total number of offers 1004 for thecorresponding record. Similarly, the number of offers accepted indicatedby the field 1024 for all entries is stored as the total number ofoffers accepted 1006 for the corresponding record, and the sum of theamounts indicated by the field 1026 for all entries is stored as thetotal amount 1008 for the corresponding record. Once such information isstored for a subsidizing vendor, it may be retrieved upon reference tothe appropriate subsidizing vendor identifier. Accordingly, informationfor, e.g., account reconciliation for each subsidizing vendor may bederived from such information.

Referring to FIG. 11, a table 1100 represents a record of anotherembodiment of the offer summary database 290 (FIG. 2). In theillustrated embodiment, information is organized by offer rule. In oneembodiment, for each offer rule various types of customer activity mayhave been required. The results of each type of customer activity aresummarized in the record.

Various types of customer activity may be required for an offer rule inorder to test which customer activities are relatively successful insoliciting an acceptance of an offer. For example, every hour adifferent customer activity may be required in order for an offer to beprovided in accordance with the offer rule. In such an embodiment, eachhour the controller 110 (FIG. 1A) may update the customer activity field824 of an entry of the offer rules database 270 to reflect the newcustomer activity that is required. The most successful customeractivity requirement may then be used in the future.

The offer summary database 290 can include a plurality of records, eachdefining a summary of offers for subsidies that have been provided inresponse to a customer activity in accordance with the offer rule. Thetable 1100 includes an offer rule identifier 1102 that uniquelyidentifies the offer rule. The table 1100 also includes entries 1104,1106 and 1108. Each entry defines offers provided in accordance with theoffer rule and upon certain customer activity. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the table 1100 may include any number of entries.The table 1100 also defines fields for each of the entries 1104, 1106and 1108. The fields specify (i) customer activity 1120 required for theoffer, (ii) a number 1122 of offers provided due to the particularcustomer activity for the offer rule, (iii) a number 1124 of theseoffers that were accepted, and (iv) an acceptance rate 1126 (the ratioof offers accepted to number of offers provided). If desirable, theinformation stored in the offer summary database 290 (FIG. 2) may beorganized according to other information.

For each offer rule, the controller 110 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, orthe vendor server 160 in the embodiment of FIG. 1B, would create arecord such as the record 1100 and store the offer rule identifier 1102.For each customer activity that was or is associated with the offerrule, a corresponding entry is created and an indication of the customeractivity is stored in field 1120. For each entry in the record, the dataspecified by fields 1122, 1124 and 1126 may be adjusted as offers areprovided and acceptances of the offers are received. For example, whenan offer is provided in response to a particular customer activity, thecorresponding entry is identified. The field 1122 of that entry isincreased by one to reflect the newly-provided offer. Similarly, when anoffer is accepted, field 1124 of that entry is increased by one toreflect the new acceptance and the acceptance rate is calculated andstored in the field 1126 of the entry. Once such information is storedfor an offer rule, it may be retrieved upon reference to the appropriateoffer rule identifier.

Referring to FIG. 12, a table 1200 represents an embodiment of the itemdatabase 340 (FIG. 3). The table 1200 includes entries 1202 and 1204,each defining an item sold via a vendor server. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the table 1200 may include any number of entries.The table 1200 also defines fields for each of the entries 1202 and1204. The fields specify (i) a item identifier 1220 that uniquelyidentifies the item, (ii) an item description 1222, (iii) an item price1224 for which the item is typically sold, and (iv) an availability 1226of the item which may be based on an inventory level of the item.

For each entry of the table 1200, the data specified by fields 1222,1224 and 1226 may be received from the corresponding vendor. Forexample, the data may be provided when a vendor prepares to sell theitem. Upon the entering of a new item, the vendor server would generatea unique customer identifier to store in the field 1220 of the entrycorresponding to the new item. Once such information is stored for anitem, it may be retrieved upon reference to the appropriate itemidentifier.

Referring to FIG. 13, a flow chart 1300 illustrates an embodiment of amethod for providing an offer for a benefit (e.g. a reduced price) to acustomer that is to purchase items from a vendor. Although theillustrated method is described below as being performed by thecontroller 110 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the illustrated method mayalternatively be performed by the vendor server 160 in the embodiment ofFIG. 1B.

Information relating to customer activity of a customer with a firstvendor is received (step 1302). Such information may be received via aWeb server, for example, in an embodiment where a vendor sells via theInternet. The Web server, which may be the vendor server, may receivedata from the customer terminal that indicates, for example, hyperlinksthat the customer clicks on, buttons that the customer actuates, ormouse movements of the customer terminal.

The information may be received from a “cookie” stored on the customerterminal (e.g. on a personal computer of the customer). Such a cookie isa block of data that a Web server (e.g. the vendor server) stores on aclient system (e.g. a customer terminal). When a user returns to thesame Web site, the browser of the customer terminal sends a copy of thecookie back to the Web server. Cookies may be used to identify users ofthe customer terminal, to instruct the Web server to send a customizedversion of a Web page, to submit account information for the user, andfor other administrative purposes.

The information may be received via a telephone, for example, in anembodiment where a vendor sells via an IVRU. The information may also bereceived via a POS terminal, for example, in an embodiment where avendor sells at a retail store. The POS terminal receives data such asUPC codes that identify items scanned with a bar code scanner, prices ofthose items, and information received from a customer's frequent shoppercard. Similarly, the information may be received via a device, such as aPDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a scanner mounted on a shoppingcart, that the customer uses to indicate the items he has selected forpurchase or the items in which he his otherwise interested.

The information may also be received via a sensor that senses thepresence or location of a customer. For example, infrared or pressuresensors may be disposed in a store and operable to sense when a customeris near particular products or areas.

The information may also be received via a device that scans items witha bar code scanner and provides the prices of those items that arescanned. Such devices are known and are frequently disposed insupermarkets to allow customers to determine the prices of items,especially items that are on sale or otherwise subject to specialpricing.

It is then determined whether an offer for a subsidy should be provided(step 1304). In one embodiment, the information relating to customeractivity dictates whether the offer is provided. For example, asdescribed in detail below there may be one or more rules specifyingcustomer activity that is required. If an offer should not be provided,then the controller 110 interacts with the customer conventionally (step1306).

Otherwise, an offer for a subsidy from a second vendor is determined(step 1308). For example, in an embodiment where one or more rules areincluded, if a rule is satisfied a corresponding offer for a subsidy isprovided. An indication of the offer (or offers) is provided to thecustomer (step 1310). For example, text and/or images may be displayedon a Web page that is displayed on the customer terminal, text may bedisplayed on a monitor of a POS terminal, or an audio signal may betransmitted via an IVRU to a telephone.

The indication of the offer may be provided via a device, such as a PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) or a display mounted on a shopping cart ofthe customer, that accompanies the customer as he browses a store.Similarly, a display disposed in a particular location in the store(e.g. below a product display) may provide an offer to a customer thatis near particular products or areas.

The indication of the offer may be provided via a device that scansitems with a bar code scanner and provides the prices of those itemsscanned. In one embodiment, such a device could display an offer uponscanning the bar code of an item.

The offer typically specifies a subsidy amount and an obligation tofulfill in exchange for the subsidy. For example, an additionaltransaction may be required of the customer. In an embodiment where thesecond vendor provides services, the customer may be required to sign upfor a service that is provided by the second vendor (e.g. initiate aservice agreement with the second vendor). The customer may be requiredto switch from a current service provider to the second vendor, so thatthe service will no longer be provided by the current service provider.

Examples of services include telephone service, Internet service,banking services, credit card account services, insurance service,securities trading service, utilities service, satellite televisionservice, or cable television service. Telephone service can include longdistance service such as is provided by Sprint Communications Company,L.P or wireless service such as is provided by AT & T. Signing up forbanking services may include the requirement to transfer a particularminimum balance to a new bank account. Signing up for credit cardaccount services may similarly include the requirement to apply for acredit card account and/or transfer a particular minimum balance to anew or existing credit card account. Signing up for securities tradingservices may include the requirement to open an account with aparticular minimum balance amount.

The controller 110 receives an indication of items the customer desiresto purchase (step 1312). For example, the items may have been scanned bya bar code scanner and thus identified by a POS terminal. Alternatively,the items may have been selected by a customer via a Web page and put ina virtual “shopping cart”. Other ways to indicate items the customerdesires to purchase will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The controller 110 also receives a response to the offer from thecustomer terminal (step 1314). The customer may indicate his responseby, for example, clicking a button on a Web page, actuating particularkeys on a touch-tone telephone, actuating a button on a keypad incommunication with a POS terminal, or verbally responding to a cashierthat actuates buttons on the POS terminal.

If the response does not indicate an acceptance of the offer (step1316), then the controller 110 interacts with the customerconventionally (step 1306). Otherwise, the offer is accepted and thecustomer is charged a lower price for the items than he otherwise wouldhave been charged (step 1318). The customer may even get the items forfree or receive a credit (e.g. money back or store credit). In anotherembodiment, the benefit to the customer may be different than a reducedprice on the items he desires to purchase. For example, the customer maybe given a product upgrade to another (higher value) item or thecustomer may be given an additional item at a discount or for free. Thecustomer may also be provided with cash, store credit or other monetaryaward.

The customer may be charged the lower price in single transaction. Forexample, if an item is normally sold for $80, but is sold to aparticular customer for $60 in connection with an offer for a subsidy, acredit card account of the customer may be charged $60 in onetransaction. Alternatively, the customer's credit card account may becharged $80, and then subsequently credited for $20 ($20=$80-$60).

Referring to FIG. 14, a flow chart 1400 illustrates an embodiment of amethod for providing an offer for a benefit to a customer that is topurchase items from a vendor. In particular, in the illustratedembodiment one or more rules determine which offers (if any) areprovided to a customer. Although the illustrated method is describedbelow as being performed by the controller 110 in the embodiment of FIG.1A, the illustrated method may alternatively be performed by the vendorserver 160 in the embodiment of FIG. 1B.

Information relating to customer activity of a customer with a firstvendor is received (step 1402), as described above. The controllerselects an offer rule to evaluate against the customer activity (step1404). The rule may be defined by and selected from the offer rulesdatabase 270 (FIG. 2). For example, referring again to FIG. 8, eachentry of the table 800 defines an offer rule. Accordingly, thecontroller 110 may select an entry of the offer rules database 270 (e.g.starting with the first entry).

As described above, each offer rule includes customer activity that isrequired in order for an offer to be provided. Accordingly, the receivedinformation relating to customer activity may be compared with thecustomer activity that is required by the offer rule (step 1406). If thecustomer activity does not satisfy the offer rule, then it is determinedwhether there are more offer rules that have not yet been so compared tothe received information (step 1408). If there are not any more offerrules, then the controller 110 interacts conventionally with thecustomer (step 1410).

If there are more offer rules, then another offer rule is selected (step1404). For example, the next entry in the offer rules database 270 maybe selected. Those skilled in the art will realize that the offer rulesneed not be selected according to the sequence defined by the offerrules database 270.

If the customer activity does satisfy the offer rule, then thecontroller 110 determines if the offer rule is otherwise effective (step1412). For example, referring to FIG. 8, each entry of the table 800defines other requirements necessary in order to satisfy the offer rule(i.e. the field 828). If the rule is not otherwise effective (i.e. theother requirements are not satisfied), then it is determined whetherthere are more offer rules that have not yet been so compared to thereceived information (step 1408). If there are not any more offer rules,then the controller 110 interacts conventionally with the customer (step1410). Otherwise, another offer rule is selected (step 1404).

If the offer rule is otherwise effective, then the controller 110generates an offer (step 1414). The offer indicates the subsidy amount(specified by the field 826 of the corresponding entry) and anadditional transaction required (specified by the field 830 of thecorresponding entry). An indication of the offer is provided to thecustomer (step 1416), as described above. If there any more offer rules,then they are in turn selected and evaluated as described above.

The illustrated method allows one or more offers to be provided to acustomer. The customer may in turn accept an offer as described above.In particular, if a plurality of offers are provided to the customersubstantially simultaneously, the customer may be asked to select one(or more) of the plurality, and the selection would indicate anacceptance of the selected offer. Alternatively, if a plurality ofoffers are provided sequentially (i.e. another offer is provided if aprior offer is not accepted), then the sequence of the offers may bedefined by, for example, the ranks of the corresponding subsidizingvendors.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, a flow chart 1500 illustrates anembodiment of a method for providing an offer for a benefit to acustomer that is to purchase items from a vendor. In particular, in theillustrated embodiment a customer receives a subsidy subject to anobligation. The customer may receive an immediate benefit in exchangefor participating or agreeing to participate in a transaction with thesecond vendor. For example, the customer may be required to participatein a future transaction with the second vendor. Although the illustratedmethod is described below as being performed by the controller 110 inthe embodiment of FIG. 1A, the illustrated method may alternatively beperformed by the vendor server 160 in the embodiment of FIG. 1B.

Information relating to customer activity of a customer with a firstvendor is received (step 1502). It is then determined whether an offerfor a subsidy should be provided (step 1504). If an offer should not beprovided, then the controller 110 interacts with the customerconventionally (step 1506). Otherwise, an offer for a subsidy from asecond vendor is determined (step 1508). For example, the informationrelating to customer activity may satisfy a rule, and the rule in turnspecifies an offer. The controller 110 provides an indication of theoffer (including its associated obligation) to the customer (step 1510).

The controller 110 receives an indication of items the customer desiresto purchase (step 1512). The controller 110 also receives a credit cardaccount identifier (step 1514), such as a credit card number. The creditcard account identifier may be received, for example, via a credit cardauthorization terminal that is in communication with a POS terminal, asis known to those skilled in the art.

The credit card account is charged a lower price for the items thanotherwise would have been charged (step 1516). The customer may even getthe items for free. The controller 110 determines whether the customerhas fulfilled the obligation of the offer (step 1518). For example, theobligation could be a requirement to sign up for a service provided bythe second vendor. In such an embodiment, the second vendor may provide,for example, telephone service, Internet service, banking services,credit card account services, insurance service, securities tradingservice, satellite television service, or cable television service. Theobligation may further include a requirement that the service bemaintained for a particular amount of time.

In some embodiments, the customer may have been required to fulfill theobligation before his credit card account is charged. For example, thecustomer may have been required to fill out a credit card applicationbefore completing the purchase of his items. In other embodiments, theobligation may be need to be fulfilled at still other times.

The controller 110 can access a list of new or existing customers todetermine whether the customer has fulfilled his obligation by signingup (and therefore becoming a new customer). The controller 110 couldaccess such a list periodically (e.g. every week) or upon demand (e.g.the controller receives the names of new customers as they becomeavailable). Alternatively, the controller 110 could query thesubsidizing vendor server, and in response receive a signal thatindicates whether the customer had signed up for service from the secondvendor. Similarly, the customer could be required to switch serviceproviders from another service provider to the second vendor.

If the customer has fulfilled the obligation, then the controller 110records the time and date the obligation was fulfilled (step 1520). Thetime and date may be stored, for example, in the field 938 of the entrycorresponding to the offer. In such an embodiment, fulfilling theobligation may be considered acceptance of the offer.

If the customer has not fulfilled the obligation, then it is determinedwhether the offer has expired (step 1522). The expiration date and timeof an offer is indicated by the field 930 of the offers database 280(FIG. 2), and may be calculated based on the time the offer wasprovided. If the offer has expired without the obligation beingfulfilled, the credit card account of the customer is charged for thedifference between the item price and the lower price previously charged(step 1524). This step assesses a penalty against the customer byremoving the benefit that was previously provided to the customer if thecustomer does not fulfill the obligation within the allotted time. Forexample, if the credit card account was previously charged $80 (in oneor more transactions) in step 1516 for a $95 item, then in step 1524 thecredit card account is charged $15 ($15=$95-$80). Thus, if theobligation is not fulfilled, the credit card account is charged $95 intotal ($80 and $15), which is the conventional price for the item. Aneven larger amount may be charged (i.e. greater than $15 in the aboveexample) if desired to deter customers from reneging on the obligation.

Referring to FIG. 16, a flow chart 1600 illustrates an embodiment of amethod for determining whether customers have fulfilled theirobligations associated with an offer for a benefit. Although theillustrated method is described below as being performed by thecontroller 110 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the illustrated method mayalternatively be performed by the vendor server 160 in the embodiment ofFIG. 1B.

In the illustrated embodiment the obligation is to become a new customerof a subsidizing vendor. For example, the customer may have been obligedto initiate a new service agreement so that a particular service isprovided to the customer by the subsidizing vendor. Those skilled in theart will understand the various modifications required in embodimentswith other types of obligations.

The controller 110 selects a customer from a list of new customers (step1602) of the subsidizing vendor. The list of new customers may begenerated by the subsidizing vendor and transmitted to the controller110 periodically (e.g. every week) or upon request. Such a list may becompiled by the subsidizing vendor as customers sign up for serviceand/or complete prerequisites for becoming a customer. Customers may beselected from the list, for example, in the order that they signed upduring a predetermined period of time.

The controller 110 then determines if the selected customer has beenoffered a subsidy (step 1604). The controller may determine whether theselected customer is represented in any entry of the offers database280. For example, referring again to FIG. 9, each entry of the table 900includes in field 922 an indication of the transaction during which theoffer was provided. The corresponding entry of the transaction database250 in turn indicates a customer identifier (e.g. the field 632 of thetable 600). If the selected customer has not been offered a subsidy,then the controller 110 determines whether there are more customers thathave not yet been selected (step 1610). Another customer is selected(step 1602) as long as there are more customers in the list that havenot been selected.

If the selected customer has been offered a subsidy, the controller 110determines if the offer for the subsidy included an obligation to becomea customer of the subsidizing vendor (step 1606). For example, referringagain to FIG. 9, each entry of the table 900 includes in field 926 anindication of the offer rule applied during the transaction. Thecorresponding entry of the offer rules database 270 in turn indicates anadditional transaction required of the customer (e.g. in the field 830of the table 800). Thus, the controller 110 determines whether thepresence of the selected customer on the list of new customers indicatesfulfillment of a previous obligation.

If the offer for the subsidy included an obligation to become a customerof the subsidizing vendor, then the controller 110 records that theselected customer has fulfilled his obligation (step 1608). For example,the time and date that the customer became a new customer of thesubsidizing vendor may be recorded in the field 938 of the correspondingentry of the table 900. Then additional customers, if any, are selectedand processed similarly (e.g., steps 1610 and 1602). Customers that havenot fulfilled their respective obligations may eventually be penalizedin some manner, for example, by charging their credit card accounts apenalty fee amount.

In contrast to the above-described method, the controller 100 couldsearch a list of customers that have accepted offers, rather than a listof new customers, in order to determine whether those customers havebecome new customers of the specified vendor.

Referring to FIG. 17, a flow chart 1700 illustrates an embodiment of amethod for providing an offer for a benefit after a customer has made apurchase from a first vendor. Although the illustrated method isdescribed below as being performed by the controller 110 in theembodiment of FIG. 1A, the illustrated method may alternatively beperformed by the vendor server 160 in the embodiment of FIG. 1B.

The controller 110 selects a customer from the list of customers thathave purchased from the first vendor (step 1702). For example, as isknown in the art the first vendor may record the name, address,telephone number and/or e-mail address of each customer that purchasesitems within a predetermined time period (e.g. each month). The customerselected from the list may be, for example, the first customer thatpurchased items during a predetermined period of time. When a customermakes a purchase, the vendor server may determine if contact informationof the customer is stored. For example, the vendor server may determinewhether the customer is a member of a frequent shopper program (in whichcontact information is typically obtained upon registration).Alternatively, it may be determined whether the customer filled in aform on a Web page that requests contact information. If contactinformation of the customer is not stored, the vendor server can thenrequest contact information of the customer, and wait for the customerto provide that contact information.

The controller then determines whether the selected customer should beprovided an offer for a subsidy (step 1704) from a second vendor, asdescribed above. If the customer should not be provided with an offerfor a subsidy, then the controller determines whether there are morecustomers on the list (step 1708). If so, then another customer isselected (step 1702).

If the customer should be provided with an offer for a subsidy, then thecontroller 110 provides an indication of the offer for a subsidy to theselected customer using contact information of the customer (step 1706).The indication of an offer may be provided, for example, via e-mail,postal mail, and/or telephone. For example, the controller 110 maygenerate a textual message specifying the offer, and then transmit thatmessage via e-mail to an e-mail address of the customer. The controller110 may also generate a textual message which is printed onto a sheet ofpaper, and a postal mail address which is printed onto a mailing label.The mailing label is used in directing the sheet of paper to thecustomer via conventional postal mail. For example, the offer may beprovided on a credit card billing statement of the customer. Thecontroller 110 may also generate an audio message which is transmittedvia a telephone to the customer by connecting to the appropriatetelephone number.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to apreferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will note thatvarious substitutions may be made to those embodiments described hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.For example, although in many of the described embodiments above thebenefit provided to the customer is a subsidy, there are many othertypes of benefits which are contemplated by the present invention.

1. A method, comprising: before receiving an indication of at least oneitem selected by a customer for purchase from a first vendor, receiving,by a controller in communication with at least one subsidizing vendorserver via an electronic network, information relating to customeractivity of the customer with the first vendor, in which the informationindicates interest of the customer in purchasing at least one item fromthe first vendor; receiving, by the controller from a customer terminalvia the electronic network, an indication of at least one item selectedby the customer for purchase from the first vendor, the at least oneitem having an associated total price; after receiving the indication ofat least one item selected by the customer for purchase from the firstvendor, providing to the customer via the customer terminal, in responseto the received information, an indication of an offer for a subsidyfrom a second vendor, wherein the offer for the subsidy is an offer fora reduction in price relative to a total price of a purchase from thefirst vendor, wherein the offer for the subsidy from the second vendorrequires commitment to a service agreement in order to receive thereduction in price relative to the total price of the purchase from thefirst vendor; receiving an indication of acceptance by the customer ofthe offer; and selling to the customer at a second price the at leastone item selected for purchase after the offer is accepted, the secondprice being less than the associated total price.
 2. The method of claim1, in which the information relating to customer activity comprises anindication of a mouse click on a predetermined portion of a Web page. 3.The method of claim 1, in which the information relating to customeractivity comprises an indication of a mouse click on a predeterminedbanner advertisement.
 4. The method of claim 1, in which the informationrelating to customer activity comprises an indication of a mouse clickon an indication of an item.
 5. The method of claim 1, in which theinformation relating to customer activity comprises an indication of amouse-over on a predetermined portion of a Web page.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, in which the information relating to customer activitycomprises an indication of mouse-overs on predetermined portions of Webpages at least a predetermined number of times.
 7. The method of claim1, in which the information relating to customer activity comprises anindication of a search that is performed for a predetermined product. 8.The method of claim 1, in which the information relating to customeractivity comprises an indication of accessing predetermined Web pages.9. The method of claim 1, in which the information relating to customeractivity comprises an indication of accessing a predetermined number ofpredetermined Web pages.
 10. The method of claim 1, in which theinformation relating to customer activity comprises an indication ofaccessing predetermined Web pages in a predetermined sequence.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, in which the information relating to customeractivity comprises an indication of accessing predetermined Web pagesduring a predetermined time period.
 12. The method of claim 1, in whichthe information relating to customer activity comprises an indication ofa duration that the Web site is open.
 13. The method of claim 1, inwhich the information relating to customer activity comprises anindication of previous access to a predetermined Web site at least apredetermined number of times.
 14. The method of claim 1, in which theinformation relating to customer activity comprises an indication of apredetermined number of items that a customer is ready to purchase fromthe first vendor.
 15. The method of claim 1, in which the informationrelating to customer activity comprises an indication of a predetermineditem that the customer is ready to purchase from the first vendor. 16.The method of claim 1, in which the information relating to customeractivity comprises an indication of a duration that an item is selectedfor purchase.
 17. The method of claim 1, in which the informationrelating to customer activity comprises an indication of requesting acoupon for a predetermined item.
 18. The method of claim 1, in which theinformation relating to customer activity comprises an indication of anitem having at least a predetermined price that the customer is ready topurchase from the first vendor.
 19. The method of claim 1, in which theinformation relating to customer activity comprises an indication of atleast a predetermined number of previous purchases from the firstvendor.
 20. The method of claim 1, in which the information relating tocustomer activity comprises an indication of a frequent shopper statusof the customer.
 21. A method, comprising the steps of: receiving via anelectronic network an indication that an item has been placed in ashopping cart of a Web site of a first vendor, in which the item has anassociated price; determining whether to provide an offer for a subsidybased on the received indication; after receiving the indication,determining an offer for a subsidy from a second vendor, in which theoffer includes a requirement to participate in a transaction directlywith the second vendor, in which the offer for the subsidy from thesecond vendor is an offer for a reduction in the associated price of theitem, in which the offer for the subsidy from the second vendor requirescommitment to a service agreement in order to receive the reduction inthe associated price of the item; after receiving the indication,displaying an indication of the offer for the subsidy from the secondvendor, in which the offer is displayed via a Web page; receiving inputrepresenting a click of a button on the Web page; determining, from theinput, an acceptance of the offer for the subsidy; and selling, duringthe transaction, the item for a second price after the offer isaccepted, in which the second price is less than the associated price ofthe item.
 22. A method, comprising the steps of: receiving via anelectronic network an indication that an item has been placed in ashopping cart of a Web site of a first vendor, in which the item has anassociated price; determining whether to provide an offer for a subsidybased on the received indication; determining an offer for a subsidyfrom a second vendor, in which the offer includes a requirement toparticipate in a transaction with the second vendor, in which the offerfor the subsidy from the second vendor is an offer for a reduction inthe associated price of the item, in which the offer for the subsidyfrom the second vendor requires commitment to a service agreement inorder to receive the reduction in the associated price of the item;determining a subsidy amount; displaying, during a transaction, anindication of the offer for the subsidy from the second vendor, in whichthe offer is displayed via a Web page; receiving input representing aclick of a button on the Web page; determining, from the input, anacceptance of the offer for the subsidy; determining a second pricebased on the associated price of the item and the subsidy amount; andselling, during the transaction, the item for the second price after theoffer is accepted, in which the second price is less than the associatedprice of the item.